This Whole Gay Chicken Thing

I think it's about time my blog ruffles a few feathers - I'm getting too complacent!

Ever since Prop 8, I have noticed a gradual increase in Mormon culture, beliefs, etc. Though I am happy that we are getting the correct word out there about our religion, and stifling "Footloose" theories, I am really shocked and disappointed in my fellow piers and the ignorance and hatred they have for my beliefs.

Facebook is a HORRIBLE place to witness any form of faith or goodness in humanity. It seems that if you can even barely spell you are allowed to be a complete asshole and belittle everyone else. It is astounding.

Now to my main point, Chick-fil-A CEO came out with a statement that he believes in the traditional meaning of marriage between a man and a woman. And the "public" {loud mouthed public} exclaims, amongst other things, that he's a bigot, brainwashed, stupid, insensitive,  and my personal favorite "a hater".  He did not wake up one day and think "hmm, I want to piss a TON of people off and spout my beliefs", no, he was actually asked his beliefs in a recent interview.

So.... what's the big deal? Honestly, WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL. A man has proclaimed his PERSONAL belief and we are supposed to be in an uproar because it offends somebody?

I have a little experiment I would like to suggest. Think of all the things the "Gay Community" has done to exclaim their rights. Parades, movies, celebrity endorsements, rallies, and that's all great with everybody.

Well, now I want a parade. 

I want a Traditional Christian White Woman Parade.

We will hand out inspirational thoughts attached to a bag of homemade bread.

We will push our screaming kids in strollers, bribe them with candy to behave, and tote our babies in our Bjorns.

I will demand that all of you listen to me, whether you like it or not, play REALLY LOUD clean country music.

I will dress in such a way that it will shock and amaze the masses - modestly.

I want to celebrate my beliefs in front of all the large cities and DEMAND that my rights will not be taken away. That I DEMAND that a marriage is between a man and a woman, and I wont SHUT UP until it is done.

That seems fair, right?

But I wont. I will write on my blog and emphasize to my friends and family that we, as a family, do not believe in hating other people. Our leaders of our church have NEVER told us to hate ANYBODY. They teach compassion, love, and understanding.

Disclaimer: I'm about to go all religious on your modest covered butts.....

Many people, even within my faith, have differing opinions. I feel that this is one of those topics that will surely separate 'the wheat from the tares' [Matthew 13].  The First Presidency has spoken about families and have specifically defined what we believe marriage to be in the Family Proclamation. (click to read what we believe).

So then people argue, well, Alex, what if one of your children turns out to be gay?

And here's my answer:

Many people do things that disappoint us. Do we love them less? Do we make them feel poorly about their decisions? Do we ostracize them?  Of course not. However, that life-style not the individual would be contradictory to our beliefs. There are plenty of men/women who are members of my church and are gay.

My personal belief is that having those tendencies is just one of their struggles they are faced with. Much like a person who is drawn to anything contrary to the gospel. They have to choose each and everyday to either give in to their struggles, or stay true to their beliefs.

I will never change my beliefs solely on the fact that one of my children 'discover' that they are gay. And that is mainly based on the fact that I believe that President Monson is a true prophet of God, and that I firmly believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the first presidency.


Now I know reading this it will cross your mind that I have a very 'narrow' perspective and maybe induce a little eye-roll.  Which is quite the contrary. I have many different friends in many different religions. I understand different beliefs and am willing to hear the 'other side' with much respect.

However, I would have to say that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that is the religion that I have chosen for my life here on this earth.


If I choose to be a part of a certain religion, what would be the point in knit-picking at each and every point and then personally deciding whether or not I will follow it? If you do not, with your whole heart, love and respect the gospel and it's teachings, do not call yourself a Mormon, and for the love of all that is Holy, do not spout off your beliefs 'as a Mormon' on Facebook or any public forum!

Now if this was ever to go all 'public' do you think I would be met with as much equality and open-mindedness as a blog post about Gay Pride?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is MY belief in accordance with the Gospel. This is the belief of my family, and these are the beliefs I will teach my children. Absolutely no one has the right to say anything negative about me, as a person due to this fact.

I do not hate people for their lifestyle, for their beliefs, or their traditions.

I DO dislike people who hate others, cause harm to others, and persecute on a whim.

To end my little tirade, I want to end in a scripture that perfectly sums up what I am so poorly trying to convey.
 

Joshua 24:15 

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: 

but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

And that's not even in the Book of Mormon!